IBM (NYSE: IBM) 
today unveiled an entry-level disk server priced under US$3,000. The new IBM TotalStorage DS300 is designed to give midsize customers the ability to transport data over standard Internet protocols. With the introduction of the DS300, IBM has become one of the first storage vendors to offer clients a storage system based on the iSCSI storage protocol. Using iSCSI, clients can create a storage area network 
(SAN) with existing Gigabit Ethernet networks.
According to IBM, iSCSI technology can help improve the management ease of a SAN by allowing IT administrators to use existing networks that clients use on the server side. The DS300 storage server comes with Ultra320 SCSI drives, battery backup cache and redundant hot-swappable power supplies in a 3U form factor.
In conjunction with the DS300, IBM also introduced the TotalStorage DS400, a 2 GB Fibre Channel storage system in a 3U form factor. Both storage servers can be managed with ServerRAID management tools. The combination of IBM's eServer xSeries and BladeCenter rackable systems with the new IBM storage options offer clients one way to help address departmental needs such as managing databases, e-mail and Web serving.
"Today's customers are placing a high emphasis on innovative technology that is easy to use and delivers high value," said Rich Lechner, vice president, IBM Storage Systems. "IBM's new systems deliver a combination of advanced technology at an extremely attractive entry price."
The IBM TotalStorage DS300 and DS400 run Windows and Linux. The single-controller models of the DS300 and DS400 are scheduled to begin shipping on September 24. The dual-controller models of the DS300 and DS400 are scheduled to begin shipping on December 17.
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